At least eight killed as many affected by humanitarian crisis caused by severe regional drought scramble for handouts.

At least eight people were killed in a stampede as thousands of Zambians, who have been affected by a humanitarian crisis caused by a prolonged and severe drought in southern Africa, scrambled for food handouts, police said.

The stampede on Monday in the capital Lusaka took place at a public sports centre where a church was donating food to about 35,000 people, mostly from the city's slums.

"Eight people died while 28 others were injured in a stampede which happened at the Olympic Youth Development Centre around 0400GMT today as a crowd jostled to enter the premises," police said in a statement.

"The victims are among the 35,000 which the group had invited for prayers."